Gas burner

ABSTRACT

A gas burner is provided formed of a hollow elongated metal extrusion. The extrusion includes an internal partition dividing the interior into a pair of manifolds. The extrusion is preferably rectangular in cross section and longitudinally spaced apertures in one wall of the extrusion communicate with each of the two manifolds. The ends of the extrusion are closed, and gas under pressure may be connected to each manifold to discharge gas through said apertures. One row of apertures preferably is supplied with lower pressure gas, to act as low flame pilot lights for the gas intermittently directed to the other manifold.

United States Patent Inventor Richard Weatherston St. Paul, Minn. App]. No. 779,671 Filed Nov. 29, 1968 Patented Apr. 20, 1971 Assignee Weather-Rite, Inc.

County of Ramsey, Minn.

GAS BURNER 10 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs.

11.8. CI. 431/285, 431/349, 431/351, 239/430, 239/557 Int. Cl. F23q 9/00 Field oiSear-ch 431/351, 352, 285, 278; 239/349, 430, 556, 557

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 405,528 6/1889 Brown 239/556X 424,852 4/1890 Bradley 239/557X 822,932 6/1906 Ennis 431/278 3,051,464 8/1962 Yeo et al. 431/351X 3,419,338 12/1968 Dirk et a1 239/556X Primary Examiner-Carroll B. Dority, Jr Attomey-Robert M. Dunning ABSTRACT: A gas burner is provided formed of a hollow elongated metal extrusion. The extrusion includes an internal partition dividing the interior into a pair of manifolds. The extrusion is preferably rectangular in cross section and longitudinally spaced apertures in one wall of the extrusion communicate with each of the two manifolds. The ends of the extrusion are closed, and gas under pressure may be connected to each manifold to discharge gas through said apertures. One row of apertures preferably is supplied with lower pressure gas, to act as low flame pilot lights for the gas intermittently directed to the other manifold.

PATENTED APRZO Ian SHEET 1 BF 3 INVENTOR WEHTHFRSTON CQKIRD ATTORNEY PAH-1mm M2 7 3575.543

' SHEET 2 [1F 3 INVENTOR P/c/M R0 WmrHmsro/v BY M 'gmmz ORNEY mixture of gas and air. Most such burners are formed of cast material such as cast iron and the like, and are relatively expensive to produce. Either the burners must be produced in various sizes to accommodate various installations, or else the number of burners used in each installation must be varied to produce additional heat. It is a feature of the present invention to produce a gas burner formed from a metal extrusion which may be produced in relatively long lengths, and which may be cut to produce burner sections of proper length to meet the requirements of a particular installation. In other words, the length of the burner may be increased where the area to be heated is large, and a burner of shorter length may be employed where the burner is used to heat smaller areas. As a result, the cost of the burner element may be greatly reduced, resulting in a more economical installation.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a burner formed of extruded metal which is partitioned to provide two separate manifolds extending throughout the length of the burner. One of these manifolds may be supplied with gas under a relatively low pressure so that a low flame is produced. The other manifold may be connected to a supply of gas under a relatively higher pressure, and this manifold will produce a considerably higher flame when additional heat is required. If desired, the low flame burners may remain on when but little heat is required, and act as pilot lights and the high flame manifold may be turned on and off at the desired intervals to produce additional heat when required.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a device of the type described in which the amount of flame produced by gas flowing through either of the two manifolds may be determined by the size and the spacing of apertures through which the gas is dispensed. The outlet openings through which the gas flows from the manifolds are drilled through a surface of the burner extrusion, the holes being normally spaced longitudinally of the manifolds. By varying the spacing between these openings, and by varying the size of the openings, the amount of gas dispensed may be regulated to fit the location.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a burner which consists essentially of an elongated extrusion of aluminum or similar material which is closed at its ends, and which serves as a support for a housing arrangement which encloses the extrusion and which is supported thereby. The housing includes a pair of end plates which lie outwardly of the apertured portion of the extrusion, and preferably also includes a central support positioned intermediate the end plates. Top and bottom plates are provided above and below the extrusion, and which are supported in spaced parallel relation above and below the extrusion by the end plates and by the center plate. Outwardly diverging deflectors are secured to the burner extrusion to provide a throat forwardly of the apertures in the extrusion which are connected to the high pressure manifold. These deflectors diverge to the forward ends of the parallel panels which confine the air flow past the burner. The diverging deflector plates are foraminous, or are apertured so that air which is forced between the top and bottom plates may pass through the apertures in the diverging plates and cause complete combustion of the mixture of gas and air.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the fact that the deflector panels are secured to the top and bottom surfaces of the generally rectangular extrusion, and extend in slightly spaced relation to the apertured surface of the extrusion to points above and below the level of the apertures leading to the high pressure manifold. From this point, the baffle plates diverge apart, the space between the plates at the portions thereof forwardly of the apertured side of the extrusion forming a throat through which the flames of the burner extend. The air flowing through the diverging baffle plates mixes with the burning fuel to insure effective combustion.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the fact that the apertures through the extrusion which communicate with the low pressure manifold are actually behind portions of one of the deflector plates, these apertures not being aligned with the throat between the plates. As a result, the flames caused by gas which flows from the low pressure manifold are confined to an area closely adjacent to the burner extrusion.

These and other objects and novel features of the present invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawing forming a part of the specification:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the burner structure showing the general arrangement of parts therein.

FIG. 2 is a perspective detail view of the burner mounted in an outer housing.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged front elevational view of one end of the burner, showing the divergent baffle plates which are forwardly of the burner extrusion.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view showing the manner in which the ends of the burner manifold are closed.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view through the burner extrusion showing the manner in which the extrusion is mounted upon the sidewalls of the enclosing housing.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view through the burner, showing the general arrangement of parts therein and showing the divergent aperture deflecting plates and their relationship to the burner extrusion.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6, but showing the strengthening ribs which are provided at intervals throughout the length of the apertured deflectors.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an end plate of the housing.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the intermediate partition plate.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the top panels of the burner housing.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a lower panel of the burner housing.

As is perhaps best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the burner A is mounted in an aperture 10 in a housing 11, the housing having a front panel 12 which is of somewhat larger dimensions than the burner unit so that air may flow above and below the burner unit. Dampers l3 and 14 are mounted above and below the burner unit and are supported by parallel flanges 15 on opposite sides of the aperture 10. Thus air drawn through the housing 11 is either directed through the burner unit A or around the top and bottom edges thereof depending upon the position of the dampers 13 and 141. However, as the present invention resides in the burner element itself, the details of construction of the remainder of the apparatus are not shown.

The outer housing 11 is provided with a pair of parallel vertical side plates 15 between which the burner extrusion 24 is supported. As is indicated in FIG. 5 of the drawings, an angle bracket 17 is supported on each of the sidewalls 15 by means of bolts 19 or other suitable fastening means. A pair of opposed U-shaped clamps 20 and 21 are provided with outtumed parallel ears 22 and 23 respectively which extend below the burner extrusion 24 and above the same respectively. The out-turned ears 22 and 23 are clamped together by clamping bolts such as 25 to clamp the ends of the extrusion 24 in fixed relation to the sidewalls 15 of the outer enclosure 11.

As is indicated in FIG. 4 of the drawings, the ends of the manifold unit 24 are closed by means of closure plates 26 and 27 which are welded or otherwise affixed in the ends of the extrusion. In actual construction, the extrusions 24 are normally formed considerably longer than the burners, and the extrusion is cut into proper lengths to fit between the end walls or sidewalls 15. Thus the extrusions 24 may be of suitable length for various installations, and each burner may be formed to produce the desired amount of heat.

As is indicated in FIG. 1 of the drawings, a gas inlet pipe 29 is provided which directs gas to the upper portion of the extrusion 24. while a similar pipe 30 is connected to the lower side of the extrusion. As will be noted from FIGS. 5 through 7 of the drawings, the burner extrusion 24 includes an upper manifold 31 of relatively large crosssectional area, and a lower manifold 32 of somewhat smaller cross-sectional area. The upper manifold 31 is connected to the gas flowing through the tube 29 while the lower manifold 32 is connected to the pipe which communicates with gas which is at a considerably lower pressure.

As is indicated in the drawings, the outside shape of the extrusion 24 is generally rectangular. The upper and lower walls 33 and 34 are provided with thickened areas 35 and 36 adjoining the forward walls 37 of the manifold in order to form a solid support for bolts or cap screws which are used to support the diverging baffle plates.

End plates 40, one of which is illustrated in FIG. 8 of the drawings, form the lateral sides of the passage through which air is directed above and below the extrusion 24. It will be noted that each end plate 40 is provided with an aperture 41 therethrough which snugly encircles the extrusion 24 and is supported thereby. An out-tumed flange 42 is provided at the forward edge of each end plate. The end plates at opposite ends of the air passage are generally identical, but as will be noted from the drawings, the flanges 42 are oppositely directed.

A central partition plate 43 is provided intermediate the ends of the burner, the purpose of this plate being to form a support for the center portion of the airflow. As is indicated in the drawings, the partition plate 43 includes an aperture 44 through which the extruded burner member 24 extends, the extrusion forming a support for the member 43.

As indicated in FIG. 10, there are two coplanar top panels 45 defining the upper edge of the airflow encircling the extrusion 24, one such panel being on each side of the central partition member 43. The panel 45 includes a downward rear reinforcing flange 46, and an upwardly extending flange 47 along its forward edge. Upwardly extending vertical flange 49 and 50 are provided at opposite ends of the top panel 51. The flanges 49 and 50 are connected to the end plates 40 and the central partition plate 43, and are supported thereby.

FIG. 11 illustrates diagrammatically the shape of the bottom panels which define the lower edge of the air passage. The panels which are indicated in general by the numeral 52 include a body panel 53 having an upwardly directed flange 54 along the rear edge thereof, and a downwardly extending flange 55 along the forward edge thereof. Downwardly projecting side flanges 56 and 57 are provided at opposite ends of the panels 59, which flanges are designed for attachment to the end plates 40 and the partition plates 43. In other words, the top and bottom plates defining the air opening are supported between the end plates and the central partition plates, which, in turn, are supported by the extrusion 24 Referring now to FIG. 6 and 7 of the drawings, upper and lower baffle plates 60 and 61 are provided extending from the apertured side of the extrusion 24 to the downstream ends of the air passage defined by the parallel plates 45 and 52. The baffle plates 60 and 61 are coextensive with the panels 45 and 52 and are formed as illustrated in these FIGS. The baffle plate 60 is provided at its upper edge with a vertical flange 62 which is secured to the vertical flange 47 of the upper plate or panel 45 by bolts 63 or other suitable fastening means. The main portion of the baffle 60 inclines downwardly and toward the apertured surface of the extrusion 24, terminating at an edge 65 slightly spaced downstream from the wall 37 of the extrusion. The baffle plate is then bent to provide a vertical flange 66 extending upwardly on parallel spaced relation to the extrusion wall 37, the flange 66 terminating in a horizontal flange 67 which rests upon the upper wall 33 of the extrusion 24, and is secured thereto by cap screws 69 or other suitable fastening means. The baffle 61 includes a vertical flange 70 which is arranged in face contact with the vertical flange 55 of the lower panel 52 and which is secured in place by bolts 71 or other suitable means. The baffle includes an upwardly inclined portion 72 which extends toward the wall 37 of the extrusion 24 and terminated in an edge 73 spaced from the edge 65 to provide a throat therebetween through which the flames may extend. From the edge 73, the baffle is bent downwardly to provide a flange 74 in spaced parallel relation to the extrusion wall 73 which, in turn, terminates in a horizontal flange 75 underlying the bottom wall 34 of the extrusion 24 and secured thereto by cap screws 76 or other similar fastening means.

The wall 37 of the extrusion is provided with a series of longitudinally spaced apertures 77 which are centered with respect to the throat between the edges 65 and 73, and which communicate with the upper manifold 31. The wall 37 is also provided with a series of longitudinally spaced apertures 79 which communicate with the manifold 32 and which are inwardly of the vertical flange 74 of the baffle 61. As is indicated in FIG. 7 of the drawings, both the inclined panel 64 of the baffle 60 and the inclined panel 72 of the lower baffle 61 are provided with longitudinally spaced reinforcing ribs 73 and 74 respectively which are arranged in parallel relation and which tend to minimize the flexing and distortion of the baffle 60 and 61 because of the heat to which they are subjected.

The inclined panels 64 and 72 are provided with apertures through which air may be forced or drawn. The air passing through the baffle panels combine with the combustible fluids flowing through the discharge apertures 77 to complete combustion and form a virtually immediate source of heated air. Means, not illustrated in the drawings, are provided for circulating the heated air.

As was previously stated, the upper manifold 31 is designed to contain a combustible mixture which is under relatively high pressure so that when the supply is turned on, gas will flow through the line 29 into the manifold 31, and through the discharge outlets 77. A spark plug or other ignition device such as 80 is provided for igniting the gas at the start of the operation.

In usual operation, the gas flowing through the manifold 32 from the supply line 30 is discharged through the apertures 79 and provide a low flame which is confined in the area of the extrusion 24 by the flange 74 of the baffle 61. Thus when the supply of high pressure gas to the manifold 31 is turned off, the gas may continue to flow through the low pressure manifold 32 to provide a low heating flame and a pilot light arrangement for the high pressure gas.

I have described the principles of construction and operation of my improvement in gas burner, and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Iclaim:

l. A gas burner including:

an elongated hollow extrusion of generally rectangular cross section,

a partition within said extrusion dividing the interior of said extrusion into two longitudinally extending manifolds, an edge of said partition dividing one sidewall of the hollow extrusion into areas lying opposite sides of said partition,

said one wall having two spaced series of longitudinally spaced outlet openings extending therethrough, one series communicating with one manifold and the other series communicating with the other manifold thereof,

means closing the ends of said manifolds, and,

separate inlet pipes leading to said manifolds, whereby gas pressure in one manifold may differ from gas pressure in the other manifold,

a pair of foraminous baffle plates secured to second and third sides of said extrusion which are on opposite sides of said one side, said baffle plates extending in spaced relation toward one another in spaced generally parallel relation tosaid one side of said extrusion to form a throat forwardly of one series of 7 outlet openings and then diverging apart in a direction away from said one side of said extrusion.

2. The structure of claim 1 and in which the portions of said baffle plates which extend parallel to said one side toward one another, are imperforate.

3. The structure of claim 1 and in which said one side is substantially vertical, and said one series of outlet openings is substantially midway between said second and third sides.

4. A gas burner including:

an elongated hollow extrusion of generally rectangular cross section,

a partition within said extrusion dividing the interior of said extrusion into two longitudinally extending manifolds, an edge of said partition dividing one sidewall of the hollow extrusion into areas lying opposite sides of said partition,

said one wall having two spaced series of longitudinally spaced outlet openings extending therethrough, one series communicating with one manifold and the other series communicating with the other manifold thereof,

means closing the ends of said manifolds, and,

separate inlet pipes leading to said manifolds, whereby gas pressure in one manifold may differ from gas pressure in the other manifold,

a pair of foraminous baffle plates secured to second and third sides of said extrusion which are on opposite sides of said one side, said baffle plates extending in spaced relation toward one another in spaced generally parallel relation to said one side of said extrusion to form a throat forwardly of one series of outlet openings and then diverging apart in a direction away from said one side of said extrusion,

said partition being substantially parallel to said second and third sides of said extrusion, providing an upper manifold and a lower manifold.

5. The structure of claim 4 and in which the upper manifold is of substantially greater cross-sectional size than the lower manifold.

6. The structure of claim 4 and in which said means closing the ends of said manifolds comprise individual closure plates.

7. The structure of claim 4 and in which the second and third walls are increased in thickness adjoining said one wall.

8. The structure of claim 1 and including a pair of parallel panels in spaced parallel relation to said second and third sides and secured to the divergent outermost edges of said baffle plates to define an air flue on opposite sides of said extrusion.

9. The structure of claim 1 and in which the other series of openings terminate inwardly of the portion of one said baffle plate which is in spaced generally parallel relation to said one side of said extrusion.

10. The structure of claim 1 and in which said one wall of said extrusion is arranged in a generally vertical plane, and in which the openings communicating with one of said manifolds terminate in the space between said one sidewall and the baffle plate which is secured to the bottom wall of said extrusion. 

1. A gas burner including: an elongated hollow extrusion of generally rectangular cross section, a partition within said extrusion dividing the interior of said extrusion into two longitudinally extending manifolds, an edge of said partition dividing one sidewall of the hollow extrusion into areas lying opposite sides of said partition, said one wall having two spaced series of longitudinally spaced outlet openings extending therethrough, one series communicating with one manifold and the other series communicating with the other manifold thereof, means closing the ends of said manifolds, and, separate inlet pipes leading to said manifolds, whereby gas pressure in one manifold may differ from gas pressure in the other manifold, a pair of foraminous baffle plates secured to second and third sides of said extrusion which are on opposite sides of said one side, said baffle plates extending in spaced relation toward one another in spaced generally parallel relation to said one side of said extrusion to form a throat forwardly of one series of outlet openings and then diverging apart in a direction away from said one side of said extrusion.
 2. The structure of claim 1 and in which the portions of said baffle plates which extend parallel to said one side toward one another, are imperforate.
 3. The structure of claim 1 and in which said one side is substantially vertical, and said one series of outlet openings is substantially midway between said second and third sides.
 4. A gas burner including: an elongated hollow extrusion of generally rectangular cross section, a partition within said extrusion dividing the interior of said extrusion into two longitudinally extending manifolds, an edge of said partition dividing one sidewall of the hollow extrusion into areas lying opposite sides of said partition, said one wall having two spaced series of longitudinally spaced outlet openings extending therethrough, one series communicating with one manifold and the other series communicating with the other manifold thereof, means closing the ends of said manifolds, and, separate inlet pipes leading to said manifolds, whereby gas pressure in one manifold may differ from gas pressure in the other manifold, a pair of foraminous baffle plates secured to second and third sides of said extrusion which are on opposite sides of said one side, said baffle plates extending in spaced relation toward one another in spaced generally parallel relation to said one side of said extrusion to form a throat forwardly of one series of outlet openings and then diverging apart in a direction away from said one side of said extrusion, said partition being substantially parallel to said second and third sides of said extrusion, providing an upper manifold and a lower manifold.
 5. The structure of claim 4 and in which the upper manifold is of substantially greater cross-sectional size than the lower manifold.
 6. The structure of claim 4 and in which said means closing the ends of said manifolds comprise individual closure plates.
 7. The structure of claim 4 and in which the second and third walls are increased in thicKness adjoining said one wall.
 8. The structure of claim 1 and including a pair of parallel panels in spaced parallel relation to said second and third sides and secured to the divergent outermost edges of said baffle plates to define an air flue on opposite sides of said extrusion.
 9. The structure of claim 1 and in which the other series of openings terminate inwardly of the portion of one said baffle plate which is in spaced generally parallel relation to said one side of said extrusion.
 10. The structure of claim 1 and in which said one wall of said extrusion is arranged in a generally vertical plane, and in which the openings communicating with one of said manifolds terminate in the space between said one sidewall and the baffle plate which is secured to the bottom wall of said extrusion. 